The city of Sonoma pairs small-town charm with world-class wineries and restaurants.
Friday 3 p.m. Before you get to your hotel, stop by Cornerstone Sonoma: Inspired by the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-Sur-Loire, the gardens at Cornerstone marketplace celebrate the connection between nature, architecture and art and is also host to Sunset magazine's test gardens. Take a stroll through the greenery (one of the garden sections is dedicated to growing botanicals for artisan cocktails) and the outdoor art exhibits. (Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Sonoma)
After you've seen where they grow the herbs for cocktails, stop by the Prohibition Spirits tasting room for a flight of their HelloCello, Jack's Gin, Chauvet Brandy, and seasonal spirits. (Photo courtesy of Cornerstone Sonoma)
Cornerstone Sonoma is home to a variety of boutiques. Nomad Chic, specializing in designs from around the world, is a funky boutique clothing shop that will make shoppers want to travel the globe. (Photo courtesy of Nomad Chic)
Friday, 5 p.m. Check into downtown Sonoma: In Sonoma, travelers can choose from more than ten hotels within walking distance of the town square, as well as bed and breakfasts, Airbnbs and five-star hotels across Sonoma Valley. (Photo courtesy of Visit California)
Best Western Sonoma Valley Inn is a family-friendly hotel that serves up the regular Best Western amenities, including waffles for breakfast. (Photo courtesy of Sonoma Valley Inn)
The historic Sonoma Hotel, located on the square, has 16 rooms with private baths and a luxury feel for those who want to stay close to the action of downtown Sonoma. (Photo courtesy of Sonoma Hotel)
Friday, 7 p.m. After a day of traveling, dine at OSO Sonoma: OSO serves modern food in a rustic setting on the Sonoma square. Share the poutine with roasted potatoes, cheese curds and a red wine gravy or their mole-braised pork shoulder tacos with a pitcher of house made Sangria. (Photo by Charlie Gesell)
Slow roasted spice rubbed shoulder of lamb with housemade lamb chorizo, potatoes, arugula and Cotija at OSO Sonoma. (Photo by John Burgess)
Butterscotch Pot de Creme at OSO Sonoma. (Photo by John Burgess)
Friday 9 p.m. Catch live music from Sonoma County bands: Local talent can be found at many Sonoma pubs, including Hopmonk Sonoma and the Sonoma Speakeasy. Make sure to check out either venue's Facebook page for details on shows playing that night. (Photo courtesy of Hopmonk Sonoma)
Saturday, 10 a.m. Breakfast on Sunflower Caffé’s patio: Wake up in Sonoma with a simple breakfast made from locally sourced ingredients. Order a blackberry mimosa and a waffle with bacon in the batter, and hang out on the patio at Sunflower Caffé. (Photo courtesy of Sunflower Caffe)
Saturday 12 p.m. Pick up picnic provisions at Sonoma's Best and head to GunBun: Sonoma's Best deli offers picnic essentials like cheese from Bellwether Farms, crackers, seasonal jams, and deli sandwiches. Just five minutes from downtown Sonoma, picnic next to the lake at Gundlach Bundschu Winery, aka GunBun. (Photo by Robbi Pengelly)
Pick up a bottle of Gundlach Bundschu's Tempranillo Rosé for a food-friendly wine that pairs with almost anything. (Photo courtesy of Gundlach Bundschu)
Saturday 3 p.m. Wander the square for shopping and ice cream at Sweet Scoops: Check out Sweet Scoops Homemade Ice Cream’s Instagram page for a daily update of the many flavors of ice cream they serve. If available during your visit, try the Cafe Brownie Brulee or a vegan option, a Peach Bellini scoop. Afterward, do some boutique window shopping on the square. (Photo courtesy of Sweet Scoops)
Saturday 5 p.m. Get dressed up and sip on a cocktail: The girl and the fig has been a Sonoma County staple for the last 20 years. The antique bar and artisan cocktails make this a great aperitif location. Stay and dine at this French restaurant with a wine country twist, or explore another Sonoma restaurant - there are plenty on the square. (Photo by Christopher Chung)
A Fig Royale coming up at the girl and the fig in Sonoma. (Photo Credit: Megan Steffen)
Cheese plate at the girl and the fig in Sonoma. (Courtesy photo)
Saturday 7 p.m. Romance Sonoma at the Depot Hotel: French food may have a reputation as the most romantic cuisine, but for some classic culinary seduction, la Bella Italia never fails. Try the Depot Hotel’s rigatoni with braised lamb shank ragout, porcini mushrooms, picholine olives, and pecorino toscano. (Photo courtesy of Depot Hotel)
Chicken Veneziana with Venetian style green pea risotto, mushrooms and white wine at the Depot Hotel. (Photo courtesy of Depot Hotel)
Saturday 9 p.m. Have a nightcap at the Starling Bar: The Starling Bar hosts locals and tourists who are looking for strong drinks and good company. Order a Sloe Gin Fizz made with Sebastopol’s Spiritworks Sloe Gin and chat with locals at the bar.
Sunday, 10 a.m. Discover downtown Sonoma by bike: The Lodge at Sonoma Rennaissance Resort & Spa offers a fun way to get to know the town of Sonoma with their "Ultimate Wine Country Bike Tour." The package includes overnight accommodations, the use of two Chardonnay- and Pinot Noir-themed bikes, breakfast at the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar, and a photo scavenger hunt through local landmarks like Vella Cheese and the Mission Solano bell. (Courtesy photo)
With our without a bike tour, don't miss the classic Eggs Benedict at the Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar. (Photo courtesy of The Lodge at Sonoma)
Sunday, 12 p.m. Toast to a great weekend from the deck at Gloria Ferrer Winery: Before heading back home, make a stop at Gloria Ferrer Winery to share a sparkling wine flight on the outdoor Vista Terrace. Pick up a bottle of Carneros Cuvée for a rainy day. (Photo courtesy of Gloria Ferrer Winery)
February, 2019
Sonoma pairs small town charm with world-class wineries, restaurants and outdoor adventures. Spend a weekend wine tasting, farm-to-table feasting and town square shopping with some live music and off-the-beaten-path fun thrown into the mix – click through the gallery for 15 things to do in the town of Sonoma.
